An improved assay for pyruvate dehydrogenase in liver and heart

PINK1 deficiency sustains cell proliferation by reprogramming glucose metabolism through HIF1

PTEN-induced kinase-1 (PINK1) is a Ser/Thr kinase implicated in familial early-onset Parkinson's disease, and was first reported as a growth suppressor. PINK1 loss-of-function compromises both mitochondrial autophagy and oxidative phosphorylation. Here we report that PINK1 deficiency triggers hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF1α) stabilization in cultured Pink1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts and primary cortical neurons as well as in vivo. This effect, mediated by mitochondrial reactive oxygen species, led to the upregulation of the HIF1 target, pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase-1, which inhibits PDH activity. Furthermore, we show that HIF1α stimulates glycolysis in the absence of Pink1, and that the promotion of intracellular glucose metabolism by HIF1α stabilization is required for cell proliferation in Pink1(-/-) mice. We propose that loss of Pink1 reprograms glucose metabolism through HIF1α, sustaining increased cell proliferation.

Assay of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex by coupling with recombinant chicken liver arylamine N-acetyltransferase

The activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex has long been determined in some laboratories by coupling the production of acetyl-coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) to the acetylation of 4-aminoazobenzene-4'-sulfonic acid by arylamine N-acetyltransferase. The assay has some advantages, but its use has been limited by the need for large amounts of arylamine N-acetyltransferase. Here we report production of recombinant chicken liver arylamine N-acetyltransferase and optimization of its use in miniaturized assays for the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex and its kinase.

2-aminoanthracene as an analytical tool with the acetylation reaction catalyzed by arylamine N-acetyltransferase

The polynuclear aromatic amine, 2-aminoanthracene, was found to be acetylated with high efficiency in the presence of acetyl-CoA by pigeon liver arylamine N-acetyltransferase (EC 2.3.1.5). As a consequence of acetylation the fluorescence properties of the compound dramatically change and the reaction time course can be easily followed fluorometrically at the emission wavelength of 425 nm upon excitation at 360 nm. When 2-aminoanthracene is employed with pigeon arylamine N-acetyltransferase, as the ultimate acceptor of the acetyl group in coupled fluorometric assays, it is possible to measure enzymatic activities, such as pyruvate dehydrogenase or carnitine acetyltransferase, in continuous assays rapidly and with high sensitivity or to determine with as much sensitivity important metabolites such as acetylcarnitine or acetyl-CoA.

Metabolic acidosis inhibits pyruvate oxidation in chick liver by decreasing activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex

Replacement of drinking water with NH4Cl (1.5%) solution significantly reduced blood pH on the 2nd d in chicks and thereafter. Concomitant with this reduction, oxidation rate of state 3 with pyruvate in liver mitochondria was also decreased in acidotic animals when compared with control animals. No significant differences between the two groups were observed in the state 4 oxidation at any feeding period. The ADP/O ratio did not appear to be affected by the treatment. The successive experiments of gavage-feeding for 4 d were also employed to ensure an equivalent intake of diet and the amount of NH4Cl given. As a result, the higher the NH4Cl provided, the lower the oxidation rate of state 3 with pyruvate in liver mitochondria, and the actual activity of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, as expressed as units of produced CO2 per g wet weight of liver, which were accompanied by the lower pH in blood. This study provides the first evidence for a critical role of pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in the regulation of pyruvate catabolism in the liver from acidotic chicks induced by NH4Cl.